Hauptmann

I'll look for them this week. Unfortunately they are burried under all of my daughter's stuff we moved from her room (my office/den) to the garage. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

No rush... I'm a captive audience.

Thanks,

Dan

I have something simular to this packed away in my garage somewhere along with a few copies of the English translated version distributed by the British Army of the Rhein. As I recall the original Soviet poster is a two piece deal. If anyone is interested I'll try to dig one out and photograph it. I picked up a lot of Soviet books and several posters when I was stationed in Berlin and Hanau in the late 80s and early 90s. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Definitely! Would love to see it!!!! Will be keeping my fingers tightly crossed. Would love to see the other posters and such too if not too much trouble.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Wow! Thanks for all the pics. First I've seen other than mine. And also love the Zep badge. Great pieces.

I don't suppose you by chance remember the price on the one you pictured that you'd found for sale? Again I have no earthly idea what these run.

And no offense taken on your liking the other one better. But personally I still think mine stands out. May just be that I'm used to it, but the one you pictured seems to be off in it's proportions. Also mine seems more colorful.

As to the authenticity... I've never had any doubt. The gentleman who found it was a realtor with absolutely no interest in militaria whatsoever. It was found in a small shoebox sized box in the eaves of an attic of a very old house down in North Florida... where of course alot of retirees go... well to Florida in general. So perhaps a WWI vet back in the day moved down there to retire, had the box in the attic, it got shoved back, forgotten and sat waiting for him to find it. It had tons of other period militaria from the allies as well as Germany... all to the period and all totally authentic. And as many years ago as this was I don't think the fakers tended to make such things with their issue packets. Even with what's printed on the packet... basically a watchmaker and goldsmith or jeweler... just don't think the fakers were or even are that good unless they're copying and original to the t.

With the way it was stored in the packet and again in the box... the aging, wear, etc. all look absolutely correct. It does not react in any way under a black light. I just can't find anything about it that either detracts or makes me doubt it's being totally and 1,000% original.

To me, it's just a case of knowing the story behind it. I mean in Gordon's book on IC's he pictured one of the cloth IC's which again I think is just the ugliest thing. If I was a German officer or solder with that award I would not have been caught dead wearing one of the cloth versions. If snagging was a big concern I'd have gotten one of the stitch on versions and worn that. But in the case of this pilot's badge, I feel it fits in with the idea of style and class back then. It just looks great... don't know how else to say it. I love it as much now as I did the first day I set eyes on it. And believe you me, when he opened the box and I saw it it was all I could do to not show how excited I was and perhaps cause him to rethink the deal. I'm sure that one piece alone was worth far more than I had in the whole deal. Figure... I traded him the modern blackpowder rifle that I'd bought for $90 with all the accessories. I kept the accessories which alone were probably worth at least $50 by themselves. And considering that I managed to sell or trade off most of the other items from the box and came out perhaps $500 to $600 on all that I think I did quite well.

Anyhow again, many thanks for posting those pics. At least now I know there are others. And I hope still more pop out of the wood work. I think they're beautiful pieces and can only hope some further information comes out on them as I'd love to know their history as much as any of the other medals or badges from either war.

Thanks again,

Dan

Nice original piece. No doubt as to its authenticity.

Hi Bob,

Many thanks! I never doubted it for a second but never hurts to have it reinforced... especially these days.

Dan

God, i?d love to dig in that box for a day or two

Hi Gerd,

I suspect there are probably traps in there... nasty devices for nipping off prying fingers! Who knows what sinister things lurk in... "the box".

But I too would love to dig for a bit. Would be a nice way to spend an afternoon... or two... or three or... well, you get the idea.

Dan

I expect to be seeing the daughter leave in a couple of years as well ... that would leave her room for ................ probably more of the wife's stuff

Hi Darrell,

Know the feeling... went in and chatted for a sec about the "possibilities" and she was like "You already have a third of the house... plus the living room." Well, I admit I spend much of my time in the living room... only until I'm able to redo my bunker like I want. Need to get the floor redone (concrete) and then put up wall board, etc. Total redo. But that's still a few years away I fear.

I've got plenty of room to store things but my dream is displays, displays and more displays!

I mean, once I saw Jack Angolia's collection in his bunker... there was no going back. I'll "never" reach those heights... but would love a feel of some of what he did... and his was an amazing collection. Put all the museums I've ever seen to shame.

Dan

I added this to the post, Dan, and you must have missed it:

Hi Ed,

Yes I did... sorry. My eyes are really getting bad. Methinks it's time for a new prescription very soon. Alas more money I can't spend on the things I really want to spend it on. Sigh.

VERY NICE though! That's an especially nice strike of the CW medal by the look of it. Really stands out!

I only wish I had my ancestors medals. Other than the pieces my Uncle Jack gave me... or my grandmother who had saved some pieces he'd sent her... I have nothing from any of mine who have served... nor does Kim. I suppose we could apply for replacements but I know that takes a long time.

That's one reason I picked up the basic US theater and victory medals and such. I figure'd I'd get the ones they would have been entitled to as representative examples. One of these days I'll put in for their records and find out exactly what they had.

No matter how basic or unimpressive they might seem... "we" know what went into earning them. And as one who knows of such things... I'd like to say thank you to all those in your family who put on the uniform and served our nation.

It's a history to be proud of... and I know you are.

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Nice. The only (US) Civil War items I have are my great-grandfather's two medals. My father had tons of Civil War stuff he dug up and out or trees as a kid, but I have no idea where that is now. Another great-grandfather's 14th Virginia Cavalry lieutennt's uniform was burned years ago by aunts who were disturbed that it "might get moths" - grrrrr.

Hi Ed,

What is it about some women wanting to destroy things or throw them out? Why can't they be pack rats like us guys! Of course, if they were then nothing would be rare or even scarce.

So I guess... here's to all the women of the world creating more rareties than war, pests, bad weather and mother nature in general (see, another woman! ) and all the rest the world can throw at us.

Seriously though, very sorry to hear about his uniform. That would have been an absolute jewel and some great family history. But very glad you have your great-grandfather's medals. Would love to see pics sometime if you wouldn't mind posting them.

Hope you come across the stuff your dad found and collecting. Sounds like it might be a nice little treasure trove.

Dan

Some real nice collections here I would be embarassed to post my measly Soviet piece's. It's amazing how big the house turns when the kids leave. I am going to display my collection in my daughter's old room........if I ever get the painting done.

Hi Laurence,

Would definitely love to see pics once the transformation is complete.

Dan

Hi Pete,

Hey, I think the pics just fine. First I've seen of all three and in color to boot! Just what the doctor ordered. Many thanks!!!!

Yeah, I definitely have a feeling they'll cost a pretty penny if and when one ever turns up for sale. But beautiful pieces, that's for sure!

Dan

Hauptman,

Intresting thread, heresa pic one of the first soviet pieces i bought, I hope one day collection i like this , enjoy

Its all the medals up 1987 on it and with the date it was instituded

Order of Victory

Hi Vic,

VERY NICE piece!!!! Any idea if they still pop up from time to time? I'd absolutely love one of those. Any idea what it would cost to get one printed?

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Gents,

Ed... how I remember our moves! I've never seen so many boxes in my life. I had between 80 and 90 just in videos! Been collecting those since about 1977. I'm a big movie (and TV) fan... just think Remington Steele... although I don't generally spout titles, actors and studios... but I do speak in movie/tv ese much of the time. I keep saying if they ever put me in a home it'll have to be the TV & Movie home out in California as no one else will be able to translate!

When we moved it was actually out of our home of twenty some odd years, most going to storage down there and the rest to my friend John's. We were there eight months (Trust me... that's a FRIEND! HE's actually like a brother and just a great guy... and now a GMIC member too... can't beat that!) and then we loaded up two huge trucks and made the final move. Still have two storage areas filled to bulging that we need to go through.

Needless to say... I "hate" boxes!

As far as kids and college... Nick's been making rummbling noises about deciding where he wants to go. But it will probably be within 1 to 1.5 hours away so his room will probably stay as is. Besides... it's a 2/3 floor up there and I'm 6'3" so I don't really fit... especially as there are ceiling fans up there (go figure... there when we bought it) and they're like guillotines to me every time I go up there. I'm much more comfortable down in my bunker... safe and snug in mother earth and lots of good old solid American concrete! So I think if his room eventually comes up for grabs Kim can have it. Then perhaps I can have her current office as that would be perfect.

Hmmmm, I feel a chat coming on with the Mrs. right now. May as well plant the idea and give it time to grow.

And Kevin... trust me when I say I'd be in the same boat re: the TV and such. I'm actually hoping and praying for holodecks some day. Then I'm going to go in, weld the door shut (assuming there are restrooms and food replicators available) and I'm never, never coming out again. I'll be quite happy reliving history and all my favorite shows for the rest of my days.

I don't ask for much do I?

Dan

Hi,

This is the first time I see a pilot's badge in cloth for the WW1. I know that Prussian used cloth version for Johanniter cross, but not for a medal like the Prussian pilot's badge.

Christophe

Bonjour Christophe,

I'm very my in the same boat on this one. Never seen another in all my years of collecting or studying such things. I keep hoping someone out there will pop up and tell us about it.

Here's what Rick (Stogieman) said over at the Aerodrome Forum:

"These were made in cloth. However this is unlike any I have seen. Normally, when a cloth badge shows up it's in bullion/wire not bevo thread. First thing I would do is hit it with a blacklight. if it glows, bad apple. If it doesnm't, we'll need much better images. A high-density scan would be best so we can see it straight on. Good Luck"

And of course that was well before I had my scanner. I'm getting ready to pop a set of the scanned pics up on my thread over there. And I did test it under black light... absolutely no glow!

But it's a beautiful piece... well made and in this case from what I can tell never worn. When I got it it was in it's original issue packet as shown. You can still see the imprint it made on same... that distinct oval shape. I've had several people make offers on it over time but not for many years now. They were mostly in the $100 to $200 range but I figure it's got to be worth more than that. I may be wrong as I know some rare things just don't bring the bucks you'd think. But in a category where Imperial pilots, etc. badges bring what they do and are as desireable as they are... and as no one I can find has ever seen or heard of one exactly like this... I just put two and two together. Plus I think if I ever parted with it I would never be able to sleep at night. This, IMHOP is one of my all time greatest finds... and not many of those to begin with. And to find it complete with it's packet? How often does that happen. Methinks this is definitely one to be passed down for a loooooong time.

Dan

I believe that cap badge is Spanish-American war era- and much rarer.

That bayonet/sword is a treasure! It looks a lot like an abridged version of the French artillery NCO sword.

Really? Had no idea. Hey, if someone can confirm that then I may pop it over to my SAW items on the other post.

Not sure which sword you mean... if the cutdown I believe it's one of the standard NCO pattern swords in use in the U.S. at the time right before the war started. If the sword with the Enfield against the tree... that's a staff & musicians sword if I remember correctly. I'm sure one of the members can fill in the correct info... again never specialized in this area. Just love the goodies! And of course that one was a family piece handed down. And then of course there's the standard bayo on the end of the Enfield.

Guess I'll have to do more detailed shots of those. But if I've missed one... let me know. And of course I'm happy to do more shots of anything per request.

But very glad you like. Thanks!

Dan

I agree as well! You have some very significant items. I love that Enfield!

Hi Paul,

Many thanks! Silly me... just been getting bits and pieces through the years... never thought of it as much more than that. I guess because I concentrated so much on my TR and then on my Soviet. I've studied a bit of the CW collectibles but never became an expert per se. I can't tell one miniball from another as far as their names and history. But I do have a reference showing same. I suppose one of these days I need to go through and match them up and name them, etc.

And yes, the Enfield I've always thought rather highly of. When I picked it out the snakes on the stock, etc. really appealed to both Kim and myself. Alot of history there. I looked through several that Cohen's had and this was the pick of the crop at that time. It's so funny... I went back just before we moved... and well before all the flooding and such down there. We stopped in a Cohen's and oh my Lord how the prices had gone up! I'd figured they'd have gone up some... but at the level they were at... even if I'd had the wherewithall I once had I would not have spent that kind of money for what was on offer. I think they had one revolver that I definitely would have described as "relic" condition... and it was nearly $400! And missing parts and all. And not a particularly rare piece either. But then again shops in that area have for a long time catered to the tourists who supposedly all have money trees and unending supplies and can afford to pay such prices.

But I will say, if you or any of the other members are ever in New Orleans (or N'awlins as we Southerners say!) you should definitely stop in and check it out. Well worth a bit of drool time if you like firearms and blades although they do have a few other odds and ends. And alot of cased pistols... more than I've ever seen outside of references and museums.

Also, in the same area of the French Quarter is a little shop called the Petit Solder Shop who also carry some militaria. A friend of Jack Angolia runs it... in fact he recommended I go there on our return trip around the country that first time through. Well worth the visit and the owner is very nice and very helpful.

Dan

Wow! Nice array of pennants and such Dan It really does look good to get a bunch of pieces together for a group family shot, instead of individual portraits all the time. As for the Kreis, I really am no expert but it looks well made and to be in really good shape. The white on the swastika is exceptionally white, which would be my only concern, but it could be in just really great condition. Hopefully an expert can help out a little more, but nice collection! (I especially like the RLB armband, very nice!)

Cheers,

Pat

Hi Pat,

Many thanks! The first of the group shots was what I had up until a few years before we moved from North Florida. Only kept the HJ and the Orts. The second two... these were actually a set of photos from a box. It's the one I mentioned in my post on my cased WWII IC 1st. There's another photo that I haven't posted that had the 50 year Faithful Service medal. Sadly it's so small in the pic you can't see any detail. But the guy who had the box had all that stuff and more in it. He didn't want folks rummaging through it so he did the pics to show what was in there. Had a couple of fellow collectors with me, one of which was the one who knew a ton compared to me... the one who ended up with the 50 when all was said and done.

So right off the bat we split up the box and I got nearly all of my investment back. Then over time much of the rest of it was sold or traded.

I do wish I'd kept the black and white pennent with the eagle. I really liked that one alot and should never have let it go. No idea what it was for but I suspect something to do with the Polizei... perhaps Weimar. Knowing my luck something really rare and worth a ton now.

On the white on the Orts... when you see it in person it's just a "tiny" bit into off white with age. You have to remember that everyones color and monitor settings are set just a bit different. What one person sees is not what another does. Plus, the scanner or camera affects things as well.

I also did a bit of color correction before posting it. When it first scanned the deeper red was showing as rather washed out. I compared the band with the pic in front of me and adjusted it as best I could to get it right. But when I do this it's basically fooling with the white and black spectrums leaving the middle ground alone. And it ended up making the whites just a bit whiter than they are.

But it has aged exceptionally well. I can't remember how the shop owner had it but believe it was in a riker or something to keep it protected. I have it framed but in a stack of framed stuff and rikers and out of the light. I only take it out when I want to show it to someone. So that helps to keep the colors looking nice, etc.

I just can't say enough about it. I've handled quite a lot of them, both in what I had and in others I've seen and handled. The contruction on this is... well, fit for a political leader in such an organization who would have wanted the best if he could afford it. And luckily it was well stored and cared for to make it this far looking as nice as I think it does. I wish they all could look like this.

Hopefully on some not too distant day you'll be able to visit and see it in person. I think you'll like it even more.

Dan

Hi Hauptmann

The light blue piping around the edge would indicate the "Ortsgruppe" level, and my english copy of the "ORGANISATIONBUCH DER NSDAP" says that a plain armband with the colored piping was issued to Political Leader Candidates

Ortsgruppenleitung:

Each Kreis was again sub-divided into several Ortsgruppen (local groups) each led by an Ortsgruppenleiter and his staff, each controlling several Zellen (cells), each of which in turn controled several Blocks. The Blocklieter was thus responsible for 40 to 60 households, and kept an index (Haushaltskarten) about them all, assesing their attitudes to the Party and the state. Regular reports were sent to the Blockand so on thru the structure. Thus any unrest was dealt with at source and the NSDAP wielded absolute control throuhout the State.

IIRC the Kreis level would have white piping.

Here's an armband for an Ortsgruppenleiter

Hi Laurence,

Many thanks for nailing it down. My poor befuddled brain got it wrong. I knew I should have looked it back up in my refs but thought I'd remembered correctly.

Bad brain! Bad!!!!

Really appreciate the info.

Thanks,

Dan

This is a unique little set Dan I don't imagine there are many of these lying around, and it is an interesting piece. The letterhead is especially detailed and impressive looking. Where did you find this one?

Cheers,

Pat

Hi Pat,

Well, here's the scoop. My father got the birthday card with some other pieces and gave it all to me years later. The stationary and envelope came from a guy I used to deal with in the Tampa Bay area. Have had them all forever and a day.

All from several lifetimes ago.

Thanks,

Dan

Quite an outstanding collection you have there from "The War of Northern Aggression".It is great that your family has held onto the sword so long.It amazes me how little people in general care so little about their heritage,especially if it will bring good coin on ebay.Great stuff.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Many thanks for your kind words. And I totally agree... it always gives me an awful pain to see folks selling stuff on Ebay that belonged to their dad or uncle or grandpa, etc. I actually wrote one guy once who was selling off his grandpa's or dad's (can't remember which) WWII stuff... including a set of binoculars he'd used in the war. I tried to talk him out of selling explaining that this stuff was more important in his family than to just get a few bucks for it that he'd probably end up blowing eating out or something. He agreed but went ahead and sold it anyhow. Go figure!

I've managed to keep alot of our family history together but so much was lost that was beyond my control. It's irreplaceable.

And with this sword I was so proud to carry it. Only one other member of our unit was given the same privilege. He carried his father's USMC NCO sword as he'd been a top Sergeant who died in the service when his son was still fairly young. I can certainly understand Japanese officers and even some NCO's who carried family blades during the wars. There's just a continuation that's hard to beat.

Again thanks so much for your compliments on our humble collection. I say our as I really put it together for my wife. There are other pieces such as souvenir type items, reproduction black powder pistols, etc. I wish I had more original pieces but hope to keep adding to things over time. I do have a pocket watch but haven't had time to scan it and add it here yet. I bought it having been told by the seller that it dated to the turn of the century. I later dated it and found out it was made during the Civil War. And although not militaria it certainly was a piece that may have been carried by an offier or soldier during the war.

Thanks again,

Dan

Dan,

Nice buckles, but that 1895 is downright rare. The 1895s were only made from 1895 to 1897 with the Christian cross with rays. After that they went to an Iron Cross on the crown.

Dan M.

Hi Dan,

I take it you mean the second one? Jeez... I always thought it was just another WWI... perhaps an NCO's or something. Had no idea it was anything special.

Thanks so much for passing that along. You made my night!

Dan

Hi Gents,

All I can say is... WOW!!!! Those displays are fantastic! Thanks soooo much for sharing them.

When I started I think my first actual Soviet piece was my Moisen Nagant revolver and that was before the wall fell. Then the pictured medal and doc and a few of the little tinny type pins. I managed to find the bookmarks with the Soviet stamps at a large discount book store over in Panama City. I was always finding Soviet coins and currency at my local coin dealers junk box. After a few years I managed to do those big trade deals and got nearly all the basic and mid range medals and Orders in basically one fell swoop. Since then I've just been adding... and adding. Never seems to end.

One of these days I've "got" to do a group shot like that... perhaps with my DDR and Bulgarian added in as well. That should just about cover my living room floor! But such a large display is soooo impressive to me and I'm sure alot of the membership would be in full agreement.

Just fabulous!

Dan

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Well, hope ya'll enjoyed the show.

Dan

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And here it is in all it's glory with a couple of friends. The sword was carried by a member of our family and my father had it restored in 1979 and I received special permission to use it as a Lieutenant in my NJROTC unit whenever swords were called for during a given ceremony.

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Original British markings from the stock. It's my understanding this was original issued during the time of the Indian mutiny and was then purchased by the Confederacy for their use during the Civil War.

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And this one which appears to be 1914. Perhaps a unit or stocking number? I can't believe they had these ready as a reserve for WWI.

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